Police dog Ajax is applauded by Civil Guards and officials as he walks with by his handler, Sergeant Juan Carlos Alabarces Munoz, right to collect a medal in Mostoles, just outside of Madrid, Spain Tuesday June 11, 2013. The Spanish police dog has received an award by a British animal defense group in recognition of his bravery on detecting a bomb on the Spanish island of Mallorca allowing police to explode it. Ajax, a bushy-coated gold and black 12-year-old German Shepherd was presented with the award Tuesday at a ceremony on the outskirts of the Spanish capital by representatives of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. (AP Photo/Paul White)

The retired Spanish police dog has received a prestigious award by a British animal charity group in recognition of his bravery and skill.

The bushy-coated, black-and-gold German Shepherd detected a bomb on the Spanish island of Mallorca only hours after two officers were killed in a terror attack on July 30, 2009.

The 12-year-old dog found the bomb planted under a car by the armed Basque group ETA in the town of Palma Nova.

He was decorated with the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals' Gold Medal at a ceremony Tuesday on the outskirts of Madrid.